How to add Lights to Marvel United Characters

 A post on how to add lights to your marvel united characters! 

First Up: supplies

You will need the following: 

Tiny LED lights

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P8PMCCS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Battery Holders
Batteries 
(you can use different batteries, they need to be 3v and others might not fit into the battery holder linked so if you choose to go with different batteries, make sure you find a battery holder that will fit that battery!) 
On/off buttons

Extra wire to connect the button with the battery holder. I used the little extra wires that came with the lights. I clipped the wire on either side of the plastic thingy (yes very technical haha) and used those wires.
You will also need a drill to make holes to fit the lights into the figures, super glue to hold them in place, and hot glue or soldering iron to make sure the wires don't come off the posts.

Here is where I put the file for the 3d printed base. Optional but highly recommended to make it all contained! 

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6274167


To start, you must first decide where you want the lights to be located. Some work best with multiple while others work well with just one. In order to decide this for yourself, you must first hook up the wires to the battery holder. (and insert the battery as well- smooth side goes up) 

In order to connect the light to the battery holder, you will take the wires and connect them to the sides shown here: 

Silver wire to the rounded side, copper wire to the squared side. 

Once the light turns on, you can now use that light to decide where you want to place your lights. Dark Pheonix ended up needing 6 for me, but most only need 1 or 2. 



I have placed them all either in the back, or from underneath to hide the wires as much as possible. As soon as you are happy with the light placement, you will drill a hole in each location for the light. Use a drill bit that is just a little bigger than the light itself so it will be a snug fit. 

Drill into the flame only enough for the light to fit snuggly. and be careful not to go too deeply. 


Once all my lights were in the holes I drilled, I also drilled a small hole in the base in order to run the wires down into the base smoothly. 


Take all the silver wires and wrap them together so the very ends all twist together otherwsie they won't all turn on. I check this on the battery as I go to make sure they are all working. Do the same for the copper wires. 

Next, in order to fit the battery pack into the case, I bent the pins away from the center of the battery holder. Lots of them broke the tiny point off, but they still work without it. 

Thread the wires through the hole in the top of the case lid so the lid with sit snuggly against the character's base. Don't glue the base to the case at this time. 

Take the silver wires and connect them directly to the pin like before, making sure they are snug by wrapping it around the post.

Next take the copper wires and twist them around one of the tabs for the button. I bent the button tab around the wire to give it all a better grip and slightly smaller to fit into the case. 


Take the extra wire and connect it to the other side of the button, and then you will connect it to the second post. this will complete the circuit so your light should come on. If it doesn't, try pushing the button.






Now that you know you have all your wires connecting properly, use a drop of hot glue to attach the wires to the battery holder for a solid fit.

Now it is time to tuck it all into the case. I find it easiest to put the button into its slot first, then tuck the battery holder in next to it. The wires will need bunched up around the top of the case. I used a drop of hot glue to hold the button to the side of the battery holder so it didn't shift around. 

Super glue or hot glue the character to the base once everything is tucked in and working. 

If using super glue:


!! let it dry for at least 10 minutes in the open otherwise the super glue leaves an annoying residue around it that discolors your mini. 

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